MechaBay
MechaBay
Discord Mastodon Bluesky Twitter/X
Discord About us Support us

RX-79[GS] Gundam Ground Type-S

General purpose ground combat mobile suit developed by the Earth Federation Forces.
Jenxi Seow Published 20 Jun 2025 Updated 20 Jun 2025
RX-79[GS] Gundam Ground Type-S

The RX-79[GS] Gundam Ground Type-S was a general purpose ground combat mobile suit developed by the Earth Federation Forces and deployed at the end of the One Year War.

The “R” in the model code meant it was a Federation model1 and the “X” designated it as an experimental mobile suit. The “79” in the model code denoted that it was based on the RX-79 Gundam Ground Type series, whilst the “[GS]” suffix indicated it was a Ground Type-S variant, with the “S” specifically denoting that the suit was deployed to the assault carrier Spartan.

History

The RX-79[GS] Gundam Ground Type-S was developed by the Earth Federation Forces in the latter half of the One Year War as a ground use version of the space combat RGM-79/GH Gundam Head. The Gundam Ground Type continued to be deployed after the war, with the Type-S variant being specially configured for operations on the assault carrier Spartan.

The Type-S used a different shoulder and foot design and a smaller backpack compared to its predecessors, although the sub-arm feature from the Gundam Head was retained. This design modification made it more suitable for ground combat operations whilst maintaining the versatility that made the Gundam Head effective in space.

In August UC 0080, three Type-S units assigned to the Spartan defended the ship when it came under attack from the breakaway South Seas Alliance on Earth. When the Spartan entered the air space of the South Seas Alliance’s territories, it was quickly confronted by a squadron of MS-07B Goufs riding on Dodai sub flight systems. The three Gundam Ground Type-S units, piloted by Marcus, Orphee and Dent, defended the Spartan’s flight decks when it was boarded by the Goufs. By backing each other up, and with help from a RX-75 Guntank, among others, they repelled the invaders.

Design

The Gundam Ground Type-S was a remodelled, ground use version of the space combat RGM-79/GH Gundam Head. The cockpit of the Gundam Ground Type-S is located in a core block within the machine’s torso. During an emergency, the core block can be ejected and will transform into an emergency pod to allow a speedy escape from the battlefield.

The Type-S featured two sub-arms mounted on its backpack, a design element retained from the Gundam Head. These sub-arms provided additional manipulator capability and could be used for various support functions during combat operations.

The Gundam Ground Type-S follows a trend in the Gundam Thunderbolt series of having the Federation emblem on a mobile suit’s forehead, as seen with the RGM-79/GH Gundam Head and the RGM-79C[G] GM Ground Type-C. This design feature also appears in the Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket’s RX-77D Guncannon Mass Production Type.

Armaments

The Type-S’ armaments included two beam sabers, a shield and a beam rifle.

Beam sabers

The Gundam Ground Type-S carried two beam sabers for melee combat, stored in recharge racks in the backpack when not in use. The beam sabers also functioned as javelins, providing the mobile suit with additional tactical options in combat.

The beam sabers used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. Minovsky particles broke down matter at a molecular level. This meant that the beam saber could cut through almost any material.

Shield

The mobile suit was equipped with a shield mounted on a sub-arm, providing defensive capability whilst allowing the main manipulators to remain free for weapons handling. The shield provided protection against both physical projectiles and beam weapons.

Beam rifle

The Gundam Ground Type-S was armed with a beam rifle as its primary ranged weapon. The rifle drew its rounds from energy packs (E-packs), clips of charged Minovsky particles. Minovsky particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armour.

Known pilots

  • Marcus
  • Dent
  • Orphe
  • Monica Bianchi

Behind the scenes

Yasuo Ohtagaki was the original mechanical designer for the Gundam Ground Type-S. The mobile suit was created specifically for the Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt series, representing the Federation’s continued development of ground combat variants based on successful space designs.

The designation system used for the Type-S, with the “[GS]” suffix specifically indicating deployment to the Spartan, reflects the Thunderbolt series’ attention to detail in showing how mobile suits were customised for specific operational requirements.

Appearances

See also

Footnotes

  1. Federation in Japanese is renpou, hence the use of “R”. ↩